Q5Computer Architecture
Question
Q.5. Differentiate between RAM and ROM.
Answer
RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile, read-write memory used for temporary program/data storage; ROM (Read Only Memory) is non-volatile memory that permanently stores fixed data/firmware and generally cannot be modified during normal operation.
RAM is volatile read/write memory used for the CPU's working storage of currently executing programs and data, losing its contents when power is removed; it comes in two main types, DRAM (needs periodic refreshing, denser, cheaper) and SRAM (no refresh needed, faster, used for cache). ROM is non-volatile memory that retains its contents without power and is primarily used to store permanent, rarely-changing data such as boot firmware/BIOS; while classic ROM is written once during manufacturing, variants like PROM, EPROM and EEPROM allow limited or field reprogramming, but ROM is still fundamentally read-dominant in normal system operation, unlike RAM's continuous read-write use.